Cities in McDowell County, North Carolina by Population (2024)

There are 18 cities in McDowell County, North Carolina.

Note: As defined by the US Census Bureau, a city's official boundaries often extend miles beyond the city itself and may even cross county lines. As such, several thousand US cities officially exist in two or more counties (and therefore appear on multiple counties' lists of cities.)

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City
Rank
State
2024 Population
2020 Census
Annual Change
Density (mi²)
Area (mi²)
Morganton1North Carolina17,72617,4780.35%92219.23
Black Mountain2North Carolina8,5688,4360.39%1,2776.71
Marion3North Carolina7,2737,711-1.48%1,2185.97
Swannanoa4North Carolina6,3164,3608.39%9916.38
Valdese5North Carolina4,6884,6860.02%5967.86
Spruce Pine6North Carolina2,2402,2000.45%5524.06
Salem7North Carolina1,7561,4793.6%4094.29
Drexel8North Carolina1,7511,757-0.06%1,2671.38
Nebo9North Carolina1,5281,3183.59%2895.30
Glen Alpine10North Carolina1,5211,527-0.07%7082.15
Lake Lure11North Carolina1,3851,3670.36%10513.17
Montreat12North Carolina891899-0.22%3272.73
Old Fort13North Carolina8248120.36%6751.22
West Marion14North Carolina7621,100-9.18%5131.48
Newland15North Carolina7237150.28%9670.75
Linville16North Carolina57529913.64%3221.78
Glenwood17North Carolina258302-4.09%1601.61
Chimney Rock Village18North Carolina1411390.71%423.36

Note: City markers shown outside the county boundary mean that a part of the city extends into this county, but is primarily located in an adjacent county.

What is the largest city in McDowell County, North Carolina?

Morganton is the largest city in McDowell County.

What is the smallest city in McDowell County, North Carolina?

Chimney Rock Village is the smallest city in McDowell County.

How many cities are in McDowell County?

There are 18 cities in McDowell County, North Carolina.

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